Alcohol and Drugs

Alcohol:

Alcohol abuse causes thousands of deaths in the United States each year. It is the most commonly abused drug by young adults ages 17 and up. Most deaths from motor vehicle accidents are related to alcohol. People who drink alcohol are more likely to engage in sexual behavior, have poor grades and job performance, use tobacco products, and experiment with illegal drugs.

When you have an alcohol problem, it usually affects your health and daily living. Any dependence on alcohol is a sign of alcoholism, which can affect you physically and emotionally. Drinking alcohol for a long period of time could damage your liver, nervous system, heart, and brain. It also causes high blood pressure, stomach problems, medication interactions, sexual problems, osteoporosis, and cancer. Alcohol can also lead to violence, accidents, social isolation, and difficulties at work and at home.

Drugs:

Some people use drugs to get a “high” or to relieve stress and emotional problems. Drug abuse is the use of illegal drugs such as marijuana, methamphetamines, cocaine, heroin, or other “street drugs,” and the abuse of legal prescription and nonprescription drugs. Drug addiction occurs when you develop a physical or emotional need for a drug. Some people may take more than one illegal substance at a time to get that extra high feeling, which can cause a possible overdose. Frequently, after using drugs a number of times, a person may be unable to control their use of drugs, becoming dependent on them and creating serious problems.

Symptoms of Alcohol & Drugs

The withdrawal of alcohol and drugs can cause uncomfortable and even dangerous symptoms after the drinking or use of the drug is stopped for a period of time.

Alcohol withdrawal:

Alcohol withdrawal may start from 4 to 12 hours after you cut down or stop drinking, or as long as several days after the last drink, and can last a few days.